The Indian women's team eves made a strong comeback by scoring a huge 3-0 victory over Mongolia in the 10th round of the Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy, on Thursday.
It turned out to be good day for the ninth seed Indian women's team as it surged to joint fifth in the standings following the fine victory.
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Ukraine maintained their half point lead over nearest rivals Russia with a fine 2-1 victory over former champions Georgia. The Russian women defeated Bulgaria by a similar margin but it was not enough to catch up with Ukraine that started the day with a half point cushion.
With Ukraine on 23 points and Russia on its toes, the top two medals are virtually decided with just three rounds remaining in the world's biggest team event.
What remains to be seen is who will finish third. China and Georgia appear firm contenders for that as of now, occupying the next two spots on 20.5 and 20 points respectively.
The Indian women's team was in shambles before the start of the 10th round but now they look much better on 19.5 points, the same as Bulgaria and Greece, who share the fifth place with the Indians.
It was indeed a great comeback by the Indian team, which now meets 11th seed Romania in the next round. Another victory can propel the team nearer to the top bracket.
It was a combined team effort that yielded a much-needed big victory, with Humpy leading from the front against Mongontuul Bathuyag on board one.
Playing black, Humpy opted for the Sicilian Paulsen and got the complications she was looking for in the middle game after Bathuyag went for an uncharacteristic queenside play.
Humpy concentrated on her counter play on the kingside and had her opponent on the ropes soon after with some fine planning leading to serious weaknesses in white's position.
Bathuyag resigned after 37 moves.
On the second board, Dulamsuren Yanjindulum was at the receiving end against Harika, who played an instructive game with her black pieces. It was a Queen's Gambit declined by transposition that gave Harika a tangible advantage that she nurtured well till the end of the game.
The endgame was on board after 37 moves and Harika marched her rook in to the heart of black's position to get a winning position. The game lasted 55 moves.
Swati Ghate also regained her form and composure, defeating Zoright Bayaraa. The reigning national women's champion was in full swing against Bayaraa even as both players blitzed out the first 15 moves of a routine Ruy Lopez Brayer variation theory in quick time.
Thereafter, it was Ghate all the way as she worked on her plan well while Bayaraa went for a reckless king side attacking that soon spelt disaster. It took 34 moves for Ghate to force resignation.
Important results Round 10: Ukraine (23) beat Georgia (20) 2-1; Russia (22.5) beat Bulgaria (19.5) 2-1; Armenia (19) lost to China (20.5) 1-2; France (19) drew with USA (19) 1.5-1.5; Croatia (18.5) drew with Romania (18.5) 1.5-1.5; Greece (19.5) beat Lithuania (17.5) 2.5-0.5; Vietnam (17.5) lost to Hungary (18.5) 1-2; Mongolia (16.5) lost to India (19.5) 0-3; Slovenia (19) beat Israel (17) 2.5-0.5; Germany (17.5) drew with Belarus (17.5) 1.5-1.5; Colombia (15.5) lost to Poland (18.5) 0-3; Kazakhstan (16.5) lost to Sweden (17.5) 1-2; Estonia (17) drew with Iran (17) 1.5-1.5; Latvia (18) beat Spain (16) 2.5-0.5; Cuba (16.5) lost to Czech Republic (17.5) 1-2; Serbia & Montenegro (15.5) lost to the Netherlands (18) 0.5-2.5; Slovakia (17.5) beat Canada (15.5) 2.5-0.5; Mexico (17) beat Bosnia and Herzegovina (16) 2-1; Ecuador (17.5) beat Uzbekistan (14.5) 3-0; Turkey (17) beat Kyrgyzstan (15) 2.5-0.5.
Indian board results: Mongontuul Bathuyag lost to Koneru Humpy; Dulamsuren Yanjindulam lost to Harika Dronavalli; Zorigt Bayaraa lost to Swati Ghate.
